‘No wonder'

Monday

Apr 1, 2013 at 9:02 AM

Lou ParrisMountains to Molehills

Chris Burleson of Columbus says a recent newspaper article on unions reinforces his thinking that they no longer are necessary. "The newspaper article stated that union membership has declined. Bids from unions to enter a plant and unionize the workers have been rejected multiple times, and unions have lost clout," says Mr. Burleson. "It is no wonder. I don't know of any worker who would like to be forced to join a union and be forced to pay dues with little return for his investment. A fellow responded to one of my anti-union letters in the past month, stating the benefits of unions and what unions have accomplished in regard to health care advances, overtime limits, etc. And I agree with him. Unions were needed at one time, but that time passed many years ago. The article in the paper stated that unions lost their bids to unionize Nissan plants in Tennessee and Mississippi. Nissan officials said they would shut the doors if they were unionized. Hooray for Nissan. My plant management said the same thing in 1986. Twenty-seven years later, we are still thriving. I don't need to pay someone to be my voice. If I have a problem, I can walk right up to human resources or the president's office and talk about any concern without fear of reprisal. And, after 27 years, I still do not want or need a union."u‘SHOCK LOGIC': Keith Lee of Inman, S.C., couldn't agree more with Columbus resident John Albree's comments about the disgust and absurdity of Michael Moore's desire to publish photos of the Sandy Hook victims. "Enforcement of existing gun control laws, with consistent penalties, would greatly reduce senseless gun violence," says Mr. Lee. "On the other hand, obesity takes the lives of many more Americans each year. Using the same shock logic, pictures of the notably rotund Michael Moore stuffing his face with fried chicken and Twinkies should save even more lives."uQUIPS A HUBBY: "I keep telling my wife that if I say I'm going to do something or fix something, I will, but there's no reason to keep bugging me or reminding me about it every six months."u‘NEVER, NEVER, NEVER': A store manager overheard a clerk saying to a customer, "No, ma'am, we haven't had any for some weeks now, and it doesn't look as if we'll be getting any soon." Alarmed by what was being said, the manager rushed over to the customer, who was walking out the door, and said, "That isn't true, ma'am. Of course, we'll have some soon. In fact, we placed an order for it a couple of weeks ago." Then the manager drew the clerk aside and growled, "Never, never, never, never say we don't have something. If we don't have it, say we ordered it, and it's on its way. Now, what was it she wanted?" The clerk deadpanned, "Rain."uLAST BUT NOT LEAST: Children of all ages are invited to join an old-fashioned Easter egg hunt at Mills River Presbyterian Church from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday. Games, crafts and a traditional Easter egg hunt are planned on the lawn of the church. "We welcome the entire community to join us," says Randall Boggs, pastor of the church. The church is at 10 Presbyterian Church Road off School House Road in Mills River. u Plenty is happening at the Opportunity House in Hendersonville. From basketry to crocheting and martial arts classes, there is something for everyone. The Opportunity House also is offering a concealed carry handgun class and classes in creative writing, oil and acrylics, watercolor, pottery and line dancing. To either register for classes or to get more information, call 692-0575. You'll find the Opportunity House at 1411 Asheville Highway.